Wednesday, November 28, 2007

ESSEX POLICE CHOIR IN BILLERICAY

BY KIND PERMISSION OF ESSEX NEWSQUEST

“Those of us who live in Essex know that our county has some of the finest choirs in the country,” was the comment of one enthusiast who loves music and song.

Chelmsford, however – our county town – has many singing groups and is appropriately the home of the Essex Police Choir. This was formed in 1989 and is now considered to be one of the very best. It enjoys its excellent reputation for fine singing, both in this country and abroad and its membership is drawn, not only from present officers of all ranks, civilian support staff, but also friends of Essex Police.

“The aim of our choir is obviously to enjoy ourselves – singing is one of the most wonderful pastimes - but an important aspect is to help raise fund for charities and to promote good policing relations with the general public,” said its Chairman, Peter Simpson OBE.

Since its inception, the Choir has raised almost £200,000 for Essex based charities as a result of performing 225 concerts. This work supports their chosen charities which are selected annually. This year, they will support the Broomfield Urology Department who need to purchase laser equipment.

The Choir consists of around 50 singing members including Musical Director Norman Eastbrook MBE and its Deputy Musical Director, the talented accompanist, Doreen Potter. They have a wide-ranging repertoire, including popular music, arrangements from the shows, spirituals and traditional secular music. In addition to the Choirs concerts in Essex, they have also performed in Canada, France, the Czech Republic, Northern Ireland and Wales.

Billericay is preparing to welcome the Essex Police Choir on Saturday lst December when they will be singing at the lovely circular Emmanuel Church, Laindon Road. The EPC are often joined by superb soloists and on Saturday the group ‘Musicality’ starring Doreen Potter, Fiona Whittaker and Wayne Carpenter will be present. The Choir’s first CD was well received and their second A Grand Night for Singing will be on sale soon.

Saturday’s Festive Concert is sponsored by the Air Training Corps and the cadets will be attending with their Commanding Officer, Flt.Lt Steve Horncastle. Songs from the shows, followed by traditional Christmas music and carols are on the agenda and tickets at£8.50 can be obtained by phoning 01277 623013 or from the door. This includes wine. The concert starts 7.00 for 7.30pm.

About Me

As a F/L columnist/author, my features have appeared in national, regional magazines and on-line journals. Following my Freelance Writer of the Year award for Writing Magine, my work has appeared in 69 titles.My book FOLKLORE OF ESSEX contributed to Channel 5’s film COUNTY SECRETS. My book THE WOMAN WRITER, published by History Press is sold at the British Library.This history of the Society of Women Writers & Journalists dates from 1894 and includes pioneers who made their mark in journalism, literature & poetry.I celebrate the centenary of Joyce Grenfell, a former SWWJ president.A chapter is dedicated to Joyce. My books were reviewed in The Times, other dailies & Youtube. I’m SWWJ’s Archivist & work with several journals including on-line specialists.Ebook titles are BRENTWOOD: HISTORIC TOWN & ST MARY MAGDALEN: BILLERICAY, downloadable via Kindle as are most 4,000 articles linked to Facebook,Twitter @sylviaakent & Suite 101. Film/audio clips now added. Check index box at top left-hand side of this page. My 10th book BARKING & DAGENHAM FROM OLD PHOTOGRAPHS sells well.I am now a Vice President of SWWJ. www.swwj.co.uk Currently 290,000 page views